Limoges Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Limoges) is a Roman Catholic church located in Limoges, France. It is a national monument and the seat of the Bishop of Limoges. The cathedral contains notable elements of Romanesque architecture, Gothic architecture and Renaissance architecture..
| Limoges French: Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Limoges | |
|---|---|
 Limoges Cathedral | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| Region | Haute-Vienne |
| Rite | Roman |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Cathedral |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Limoges, France |
| Geographic coordinates | 45°49′44″N 1°16′0″E / 45.82889°N 1.26667°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | church |
| Style | Gothic, Renaissance, Romanesque |
| Groundbreaking | 1273 |
| Completed | 1888 |
The construction of the church began in 1273 and was finished only in 1888, when the nave was connected to the belfry, a fine, bell tower. It is noted for the Flamboyant facade of the transept, the bell tower, and the Renaissance rood screen with reliefs of the labors of Hercules, built in 1534.
(The text below is translated from the article in the French Wikipedia[[1]])
History
editThe existence of a bishop's seat in Limoges was recorded in 475 and Gregory of Tours mentioned the existence of a church in 475, close to the site of the present cathedral. In 2005, the remains of a hexagonal baptistry dating probably to the first third of the 5th century was discovered beneath the north facade of the cathedral.
The cathedral was constructed in the center of the city in the valley of the Vienne River, not far from the Abbey of Saint-Martial and the former chateau of the Viscoun of Limoges.
Architecture
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- Nave and choir, respectively, looking east, through a "folding out" lens that nearly flattens out the steep Gothic arches.
The walls of Romanesque crypt have beautiful frescoes representing Christ in glory. Some medieval paintings are still visible in some chapels (including representatives of angelic musicians) but almost all are frescoes of the 19th century.
The Cathedral of Limoges has two organs: a neoclassical instrument built by Georges Danion in 1963 and a choir organ, installed in 1850.[citation needed] and restored 1891 by Merklin. Every summer, the association of the cathedral organizes organ concerts to highlight the major organs of this building.
Gallery
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External links
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